"System, can the money spent on purchasing physical fitness points also be used to upgrade the restaurant?" Mai Ge asked in his mind.
"Yes, any expenditure other than purchasing ingredients can be used to upgrade the restaurant's level. Host, what are you waiting for? With less than 40,000 gold coins, you can upgrade your restaurant to level 2, and more privileges and benefits await you!" The system's excited voice rang out, and Mai Ge felt as if it was about to jump out of his head and drag him to upgrade.
"Don't rush, I haven't decided when to upgrade yet. How about we discuss the benefits? Could you remove the impact of the mission failure rate you mentioned at noon?" Mai Ge asked calmly.
"No!" the system replied decisively, showing no intention of negotiation.
"Then I won't upgrade." Mai Ge said just as resolutely.
"..."
The system displayed an ellipsis, somewhat exasperated, and said, "Host, you can't act like a single person!"
"I've always been single." Mai Ge laughed.
"But you have a daughter! And a wife in name only, the mother of your child." the system retorted.
"The child's mother is the child's mother, but I don't even know what she looks like. How about you help me recover those fragmented memories in my brain? That way I can barely admit I'm half single." Mai Ge said with a smile.
"Your servant… no, this system cannot do that!" the system decisively refused.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I'll give you some time to think it over. I think the restaurant is fine as it is now. Upgrading or not doesn't really matter. Earning a million or so a day is practically the pinnacle of life." Mai Ge acted nonchalantly, but he actually really wanted to upgrade. However, the system was clearly more eager. If he didn't squeeze some benefits out of it, he would really be letting himself down.
"Boss Mai, your restaurant is doing so well, why don't you expand? Aren't all the shops around here empty? That way everyone would have seats, and it'd be more comfortable waiting for their food." Harrison suggested to Mai Ge as he entered.
"Hmm, I'll think about it." Mai Ge nodded with a smile. Whether or not to expand was not up to him, it was up to the system to decide. Otherwise, the problem of maintaining a consistent decorating style would be difficult to solve.
The guests entered one after another, and Vivian couldn't help but glance at Mai Ge a couple more times as she passed him.
"The food is so delicious, and it has such magical effects. He's even seven or eight parts as handsome as me. That's quite rare." Vivian thought to herself, stroking her mustache with a touch of narcissism before stepping inside.
Mai Ge also noticed Vivian's gaze and movements, raising an eyebrow. This girl was quite interesting, he wondered which young lady she was, sneaking out to eat.
"Are you alright, guest?" Mai Ge then noticed that Shawnard's walking posture was a bit strange and asked with some concern.
"I... what could possibly happen to me?" Shawnard forced a nonchalant expression and said. He had only straightened up slightly when he felt a tightness in his rear, a soreness he could only describe. But he had just lost so much face in front of Mai Ge yesterday, so he absolutely couldn't back down today.
"It's good that you're alright. How about another serving of extremely spicy one today? You were the only one who ordered extremely spicy yesterday, you truly deserve the title of a warrior." Mai Ge asked with a smile.
Shawnard swallowed hard, looking at Mai Ge's smile, and suddenly felt an urge to punch him. However, he was too inconvenient to move around right now, and the Spicy Grilled Fish was just too delicious, so he could only hold back.
The other customers all looked at Shawnard upon hearing this. There weren't many people who could earn the respect of Boss Mai.
"Hey, aren't you the red-haired lion brother who can emit smoke? You're so amazing! You can actually eat extremely spicy food! When smoke comes out of your head, you look like a real pervert." Amy hugged the Ugly Duckling and looked at Shawnard with admiration, clapping her little hands.
Shawnard's face contorted for a moment. He didn't know what expression to use in response to such praise, but the gazes of the guests and the admiring look of the cute half-elf little girl in front of him made his heart surge again.
"If you're a man, eat extremely spicy one!"
Shawnard seemed to hear a voice ringing in his head, a voice that made him feel a surge of adrenaline. He clenched his fist and said, "One serving of Spicy Grilled Fish, extremely spicy!"
"Is your body really alright? Why don't you order a mildly spicy one?" Mai Ge asked with some concern.
"My body is perfectly healthy! I want it to be extremely spicy! Extremely! Spicy!" Shawnard said to Mai Ge, enunciating each word with unwavering determination.
"Okay, okay." Mai Ge looked at Shawnard, who had an expression that said, "If you don't give me the extremely spicy one, I'll kill you." and turned to walk towards the kitchen. He couldn't afford to mess with him, these young people these days were something else.
"Holy crap! I ordered the extremely spicy one again! No way! I'll die if I eat this! I have to cancel it! I absolutely have to cancel it..." Shawnard looked at Mai Ge's back and suddenly realized what was going on, his expression immediately falling.
"The red-haired lion brother who can emit smoke is so amazing! You ordered another extremely spicy one. You must be a real pervert, right?" Amy looked up at Shawnard, thought for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. "Then I'll call you 'The Perverted Red-haired Lion Brother Who Can Emit Smoke' from now on."
"Call whatever you want. Whatever makes you happy." Shawnard looked at Amy and said weakly. He suddenly realized why he had inexplicably ordered another serving of extremely spicy grilled fish.
Being provoked by Mai Ge was part of the reason, but being praised by this little one was the real reason.
The little one is just too cute, a simple compliment made him get cocky, and then he got carried away and ordered an extremely spicy grilled fish…
"I hope...the sun will rise again tomorrow." Shawnard sighed inwardly and walked into the restaurant with a tragic expression.
"I'd like a serving of Savory Tofu Pudding, a serving of super spicy grilled fish, and after I finish the grilled fish, I'll have a serving of Sweet Tofu Pudding for dessert." Vivian ordered her food directly from Yabemia as soon as she sat down after getting a seat.
"I'm sorry, guest, but each person can only order one serving of tofu pudding per meal." Yabemia said, shaking her head.
"I'll pay, I can pay in advance, just bring it to me." Vivian replied without hesitation.
"Sorry, it's the restaurant's rule, each guest can only order one serving of tofu pudding per meal." Yabemia shook her head again.
"Then I'll pay double the price. How can I know which one tastes better if I don't try both?" Vivian frowned, trying to continue negotiating with Yabemia.